Sharing the Gospel Naturally

In the October 2013 general conference, President Thomas S. Monson reminded us how important it is to help others come unto Christ.1 For many of us, sharing the gospel can feel intimidating, though. After all, have you ever felt nervous about talking to others about the gospel or the Church?

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that there is a way to overcome that fear. He said, “Fear will be replaced with faith and confidence when members and the full-time missionaries kneel in prayer and ask the Lord to bless them with missionary opportunities. Then, we must demonstrate our faith and watch for opportunities to introduce the gospel of Jesus Christ to our Heavenly Father’s children, and surely those opportunities will come. These opportunities will never require a forced or a contrived response. They will flow as a natural result of our love for our brothers and sisters. Just be positive, and those whom you speak with will feel your love.”2

As you strive to follow that counsel, check out these ideas about how you can share the gospel in your everyday life. Tell how you’ve used these ideas, or share your own ideas for sharing the gospel by clicking on Share your experience below.

10 Scriptures to Cheer Up Your Friends

Know people who are having a bad day? Sharing a scripture with them might be just the thing to brighten their day. And if they see that you believe in the scriptures, they may ask you more about your beliefs or the Church. Here are 10 scriptures that inspire with hope and provide comfort to the soul.

Wants to know how the gospel can help, share the story of how a homeless young man changed his life after learning about Jesus Christ in “Hi, I’m Paris. I’m a Mormon.”

Is struggling with whether or not to remain sexually pure or wants to know why you are, share “I Choose to Be Pure.”

Doesn’t understand exactly what you mean when you talk about “serving in your quorum” or “priesthood service” or your efforts in a “class presidency,” share an example of what it means to look out for each other in “Dayton’s Legs.”

Wants to know who we really are, why we’re here on earth, and where we’re going after this life, share “Our True Identity.”

10 Conversation Starters

Need some suggestions for how to bring up the gospel in everyday conversations? Here are 10 simple ideas.

Ask your friend what he thinks about God, and really listen. Then share your thoughts.

Talk about what you did at Mutual this week. (If your friend asks what “Mutual” is, then it’s an easy way to say what Church you belong to.)

Ask around for jobs or ideas to earn money and tell others you’re saving to pay for a mission.

Share a scripture you read in the Book of Mormon that touched you.

Tell about a skill you learned at a ward activity or family home evening—and talk about what a “ward” or “FHE” is.

When you’re outside, share your thoughts about all the beautiful things Heavenly Father made for us.

Ask your friends where their names came from. If they’re family names, you can bring up family history and share how it connects us to our past and to our future through temples.

Talk about seminary—about getting up early to go or about something you learned there.

When talking about what you did over the weekend, tell about an experience at church.

When anyone talks about media, share what you like and why you have your standards.

Pray for Missionary Opportunities

As you seek to fulfill the Lord’s call to invite others to come unto Christ, pray every day for opportunities to share the gospel. Find more ideas on how you can do this. And remember that your success doesn’t depend on whether the people you share the gospel with accept your invitation; the Lord will be pleased that you extend an invitation.

Notes

For example, “Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together, to work together, to labor in the Lord’s vineyard to bring souls unto Him” (Thomas S. Monson, “Welcome to Conference,” Ensign, Nov. 2013, 4).